Nim sat on the floor between his bed and the full-length mirror. He took a deep breath to calm himself. He needed to focus. Then, he cast the spell. At first, he didn’t see her. “Joanne?” He said. “Nim? Is that you?” Her voice came. “Where are you?” “I’m not sure. Look for something reflective. I’m near the floor.” “What?” “I’m scrying you through a reflection.” He saw her feet and her bare legs. She wasn’t wearing any pants. “Oh, I see you.” She picked him up. It looked like she was in her underclothes. “What are you doing on my vase?” “I was hoping to talk with you, but unless I know of a specific mirror, I get whatever reflective surface is nearby.” “If it means I get to talk with you, I’ll take you on my vase.” She said with a big grin. “I’ve missed you.” “I missed you too. Would you like to put me down while you get dressed?” She laughed. “I am dressed. These are my clothes. See?” She held out the vase so he could see more of her. He had to look away. “Um, maybe you could put on more clothes. If I get too distracted, I’ll lose the spell. The spell takes a lot of energy. I won’t be able to cast it again for a few days.” “If it means talking with you longer, I’ll put on a snowsuit.” She put down the vase and moved out of view. She came back wearing a shirt similar to the ones Andy often wore. “Is this better?” “For my focus, yes, though I hate to cover up such a beautiful woman.” He had no idea what he was doing. He said that because it sounded like something Pt’this would say to flirt. She smiled. “You’re pretty good looking yourself. Maybe you should take something off.” The image flickered. He almost lost the spell. He knew she said that because of his comment. He needed to watch himself, or he’d end up in over his head. “Joanne, please.” “Sorry. What have you been up to?” He shrugged. “Court stuff. I’m filling in for Pt’this until they get back, mostly pompous nobles quarreling over petty grievances.” “Sounds like fun,” she said dryly. “Plenty. King Emeton is also working on a new treaty with the elves. I don’t know much about politics, so I’m not much help there. What have you been doing?” “Working at the women’s shelter mostly. Missing you the rest of the time.” “Nothing else? Just work?” “I was gardening too, and I was trying to read, but I couldn’t concentrate.” “I didn’t like that picture you saw, so I started a new one. I haven’t gotten very far, but do you want to see it?” “Sure. I thought the other one was pretty good.” “It was terrible. This one is much better so far.” He retrieved the drawing and showed her. It was just her eyes and nose, but it was almost like looking at a black and white photo. “You did that? Wow! You’re amazing,” she said truly impressed. He blushed. “Thank you. I generally don’t show people my drawings. Of course, a lot of it is on the walls of my cave back home. Someday, I’d like to show you.” “I’d love to see it.” Her interest seemed genuine. Most people said that just to be polite. There was a knock on the door. “Just a moment.” He moved out of view. A moment later he was back. “It looks like the newlyweds are back early.” “Is everything okay?” “I don’t know. It was just a page. Pt’this told him to tell me to stay in here for a while then he supposed to keep the floor clear. Pt’this can contact me if he needs me.” He had grabbed his drawing case and something to draw with while he was up. As they spoke, he continued working on the drawing he had shown her. “Do you sculpt or paint or anything else?” Jo asked. “I tried painting. I just made a mess. So mostly I stick with charcoal, and sometimes I do magical tattoos. I did Ann’s. It’s her father.” “Why do you draw on the walls?” “Parchment is rare. I often can’t get any. Every time we take the young ones to Bisfip I check the shops and buy whatever I can find. One shop tries to keep some for me.” “You like working with the young ones don’t you?” He nodded without looking up. She didn’t mind. Drawing seemed to help him relax and open up more. “Do you ever think about having kids?” He chuckled. “Me? Who’d ever want to have kids with me?” “I would,” she said softly. He looked up in surprise. “You haven’t gotten that hint yet?” Nim’s stomach twisted. “Joanne, we can’t. We’re too different.” “Seems we can. Ann’s parents did.” “I don’t mean like that. We just met. You and I, our worlds, they’re too different. You know little of our ways, and I know less of yours.” “I don’t mean tonight. We’ll learn about each other, just like any other couple.” She was saying exactly what he wanted to hear, and it scared him. “Where would we live? Your world or mine?” “Wherever. Maybe both.” “There are no women’s shelters here. What would you do?” That caused her to pause. He knew it would. He wanted to pursue a relationship with her. Why was he feeling this way? “I don’t know. We don’t have to have all the answers tonight.” There was another knock on the door. Nim sighed. This time, it was Pt’this.